Mount Musing

 Something drew me to reflect upon the TRP HYRD calliper, which was languishing in the brake box. Perhaps this was prompted by my MK1 Ford Ka’s intermittently flickering brake warning light, maybe it was my elevated blood pressure being approached by people wanting me to work for free...I’ve concluded it’s my dislike of unfinished projects and on a wider level, loose ends generally. 

I don’t know everything and never will. Those who do not ask questions, do not learn...Custom, CNC machined brackets suddenly became the only idea until someone helpfully suggested a flat to IS mount adaptor.  

Fingers to keyboard, I dodged anything from the virtual flea markets since these are a lottery at the best of times. Even if they materialise accuracy of machining is often incredibly poor, so money may as well be tossed down the drain. This cheap but cheery A2Z cost a few pennies more but turned up within a few days. Alas, it also proved incompatible. Back to the drawing board. 

Another source of this inspiration was my contemplation of taking Ursula the rear disc route, too. Frame builders generally advise against this, or at least show reticence to braze mounts to steel framesets of this era. I’m certainly not going to risk a frame’s integrity or persuade a skilled frame builder to do something they are not comfortable executing. Add to that, the cost of otherwise unnecessary refinishing and the juice isn’t worth the squeeze.   

There’s a trend for converting older mountain bikes to gravel builds, complete with disc mounts and 700c tyres. Some of them are nicely, dare I say, sympathetically executed, akin to other subtle conversions. Winter trainers, or cyclocross rigs to lightweight touring/audax, older cross-country mountain bikes to drop bar tourers, or four seasons’ workhorses being good examples.  

Others, involving cutting brake bridges out to entertain bigger section 700c tyres are, in my view, extreme butchery. Rather akin to chopping houses into flats, where bodged electrics, plumbing and cheap materials seem par for the course. In case you were curious, a more traditional cyclo cross typical 32mm seems viable with 26inch mountain bike framesets.   

Back to disc brake conversion adaptors, most off-the-peg adaptors seem crude, horrible affairs.  

The only exception I’ve seen is the Brake Therapy Disc Brake Conversion Kit. However, this is no longer in production. If I found or was offered one at the right price, maybe. Otherwise, cantilevers stay. 

I replaced the straddle wire that had begun fraying while doing some other routine maintenance... This time, I’d gone for a premium quality Dia Tech wire, which, in my experience, are less prone to fraying-although super glue, crimp, or solder the ends. Powerful, progressive braking restored. Not that I engage the rear brake very often, but I like things at their best, not just operational.   

Staying with Dia Tech, I’d noted a slight tendency for Ursula’s Aheadset bearings to slacken very slightly after a few hundred miles. I concluded the best way to sort this was to reintroduce a Dia Tech cable hanger cum locking spacer.  

This works to add some additional tension, just requires a more precise adjustment, when setting the preload. I also cleaned the fork steerer and added a quick lick of grease to the upper bearing, since the opportunity presented itself.   To date, this seems to have addressed the issue. Little things, eh. 

Cooler weather gave cause for a rummage in the wardrobe, resulting in a few exclamations of “Wonder where that went!”. Most noteworthy being this DHB   Aeron Rain Defence Polartec Jacket. It’s a water-resistant softshell design reckoned ideal for temperatures between 8 and 15 degrees, but I’ve been pleasantly surprised by how comfortable it’s been in temperatures between 1 and 3 degrees. Admittedly, I’ve worn this Oxford Venture Windproof Gilet atop OXFORD VENTURE WINDPROOF GILET | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) A good combination, paired with a decent quality long sleeve base layer. 

  

The sudden dip in temperature has also presented opportunity to get some miles in with the Carnac Reflective Waterproof Crab Hand Winter Gloves. Perfectly temperate between 0 and 5 degrees (I’ve worn them up to 10 degrees, but by that point, my hands were feeling a little clammy. They’re also more dexterous than I was expecting. Keys, torches and similar essentials have been easily retrieved and operated. This isn’t my experience with the more extreme “lobster mitt” types. I like these in terms of warmth, but the lack of dexterity, for me is a big turn off.  Right, time I was rounding up the buckets, brushes and bike washes ...Oh and here's my review of the Muc Off All Weather Chain Lube Muc-Off All Weather Chain Lube | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)

Hedging Bets

 

Yet again, the UK is being promised Iceman’s imminent return to the UK. I’m of the opinion that it's another distraction from the nation's bigger issues by client media. That said; complacency’s not my speed and now was the time to inspect the Ryde/Halo Spin Doctor’s punctured Schwalbe Winter (240).  

The hole proved elusive- it was a modest, yet surprisingly deep cut, reminiscent of that which struck their Marathon 365 cousins. It hadn’t pierced the breaker, so it was filled with superglue, and I put a fresh tube in, repairing and resigning the butyl to spare status. Easily fixed with the smallest patch.  

The Rema Tip Top TTO2 is basically my first choice- some including (Hutchinson and Cure C Cure) come close but can’t quite match the Rema Tip Top for reliability. Reflecting on things, the tube had succumbed to a graze, and I strongly suspect a premium grade wouldn’t and I'd just need to plug the tyre with glue.  

Staying with this wheelset, I’m really taken with the Halo Spin Doctor hub- its slick, refined and feels bulletproof. It runs on 6000 and 6200 bearings, rather than the ¼ inch balls employed by the Shimano XT and Deore units I’ve overhauled recently.  

Unlike the Halo Fixed-G, the Spin Doctor does not use circlips which require dedicated pliers when stripping and replacing the bearings. I’m nowhere near that stage where anything needs servicing but wanted to check before overhaul’s needed. 

I took that opportunity to strip the cassette of some accumulated lube, which would prove incompatible with the Weldtite   

I remain fond of the Axiom Monsoon Oceanwave City+ AXIOM OCEANWAVE CITY+ SEAT BAG | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) but, even allowing for the integrated cargo net, the single compartment means accessing tools, tubes, and indeed, gloves, micro jackets et al. can be inconvenient.  

Talking of gloves, these Altura Night Vision Waterproof Gloves are still soldiering on 6 years and around 25,000 miles (about 40233.6 km) later, although they are starting to look just a little characterful in places. Their adjustable Velcro cuffs are starting to peel away and there’s a decent amount of patina but, they’ll accommodate liner gloves when it's bitterly cold, and though dexterity can’t match some, but I’m firmly attached to them.  

Come to think of it. I’ve always been fond of Altura’s range from clothing to luggage- well-designed and competitively priced, in my experience. These Carnac Reflective Crab Hand Winter Gloves landed on my desk. Reckoned waterproof, breathable, and only for single-digit rides. Crab/lobster types tend to be toasty but require removal for anything resembling a mechanical.  Calling their bluff, I headed out for a quick, breezy 20-miles, temperature around 8 degrees. They were warmer than I'd typically use in these temperatures but hardly clammy. Dexterity is also better than I've come to expect from the breed.  

Plenty of freezing fog around in the early hours and I’ve tended to default to three layers, rather than the long-sleeve base and jersey cum jacket layer atop.  

Commonly it’s an Altura Night Vision Long Sleeve Jersey, which has served me well since 2010, (or, if it's bitter, a thermal Funkier), and the Dhb Flashlight Force Waterproof Jacket. This is no longer made but has acres of retro-reflective detailing, waterproofing, and breathability ratings of 20,000 and 15,000, respectively. Well-positioned and sensibly sized pockets too- including a breast, two hips, and the classic, zippered poacher are another boon.

Obviously and unlike the Oxford Venture OXFORD VENTURE JACKET | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) and 7Mesh Cypress Hybrid 7mesh Cypress Hybrid Cycling Jacket | Seven Day Cyclist jackets it’s not the sort you’d pack down into a jersey pocket. When it turns slightly milder and drier, I reach for a budget BTwin500 Warm Cycling Jacket or Pearson Red Adventure Long Sleeve Cycling Jersey. The Pearson is £150 and great for dry-ish weather and temperatures between 3 and 12 degrees. Pockets are plentiful.  

There are two on the breast, a poacher at the back with one intended for a mini/midi pump. On the other side, there’s a sturdy LED tab-another nice touch. It’s designed with gravel audiences in mind and reckoned capable of withstanding tangles with hawthorn bushes. These qualities lend it nicely to general off-season riding and touring.  

While hunting for packet fresh butyl (I didn’t want to raid the spare just in case I forgot to replenish it. Besides, it’s very much a get-you-home, not a premium tube). I found this 20-function Merida multi-tool, which I’ve packed, along with some other essentials into a zippered cage caddy for easy, mid-ride access. Functions include a comprehensive range of Allen Keys (2,2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 10mm). Then, of course, there are the T10 and T25 Trox keys, a Philips screwdriver, a pad spreader, and spoke keys.  

No chain tool and I’m not keen on steel tyre levers. Hence two Pedro's joined the party. New tube too, while it crossed my mind. More interesting is the Presta/Schrader valve converter, which can be genuinely handy. You might have a trailer or tag along with a Schrader valve or find your Presta pump’s given out at the worst possible moment and there’s a garage air line. Elsewhere, I've returned to the Ravemen TR500 rear light Ravemen TR500 Rear Light | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)  and finalised my thoughts regarding the See Sense Beam+ See Sense Beam+ Front Light | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)